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The New Patriotic Party has blamed former President John Dramani Mahama for the Kumasi shootings which led to the death on Monday of a member of the opposition National Democratic Congress.

The New Patriotic Party has blamed former President John Dramani Mahama for the Kumasi shootings which led to the death on Monday of a member of the opposition National Democratic Congress.

The national communications director of the ruling NPP, Yaw Buaben Asamoa, claimed that the Hawks, a vigilante group sponsored by the NDC, were created by former President Mahama out of the Unity Walk social and political club, which Mr Mahama formed immediately after the NDC lost power in 2016.

On Monday a member of the Hawks, an NDC vigilante group, shot dead another member of the party during a meeting between the regional leadership of the NDC in Kumasi, sending shock waves across the country.

Mahama’s baby

At a press conference, the NPP’s director of communications, Yaw Buaben Asamoa, said categorically that the Hawks were formed by the NDC for the convenience, benefit and comfort of former President John Mahama to perpetrate violence during the 2020 general election.

Mr Buaben Asamoa regretted that the former President has shown consistently that he does not respect the institutions of state.

He cited Mr Mahama’s refusal to attend Supreme Court hearings on the 2012 election petition, even as he blamed his own abysmal performance in power on the petition, which was heard over the course of the first eight months of 2013.

Double standards

Mr Buaben Asamoa also blamed Mr Mahama for encouraging violence by failing to condemn the many acts of violence by his party members but rather choosing to show suspect clips of last month’s fracas during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election to diplomats.

The NPP communications supremo said the former President is exhibiting hypocritical tendencies of the worst sort as he attempts to smear Ghana’s image internationally. The smear campaign is aimed at scoring cheap personal political points as he fights to win the mantle to lead his party into the 2020 elections, he said.

Mr Buaben Asamoa insisted that the NPP is distinct from the NDC in ideology, economic management, social policy and performance. As such, he said, the NDC cannot compare with the NPP when it comes to good governance.

Trust in police?

“President Mahama decided to show false by-election videos to diplomats instead of reporting the matter to the police. In another breath, when his own party members shot and killed their own, he is calling on the police. Does the former President now trust the police?” Mr Buaben Asamoa asked.

According to the NPP, the recent events are part of a clear attempt by the former President and the NDC to use violence propaganda to divert attention from the far-reaching development projects and programmes being carried out by the NPP government.

He said the government will not be diverted but will remain focused to deliver on plans that will bring progress in the lives of all Ghanaians.

Engagement

Mr Buaben Asamoa added that Ghana requires responsible opposition and it would be prudent for the NDC to engage in positive engagement, in the interests of the country.

He stressed that Ghanaians will not be swayed by the violence propaganda being spread by the NDC to divert attention from the massive transformational agenda being activated by the government.

The communications director said the NPP is the only party that institutes coherent pro-poor policies whenever it comes into power. The National Health Insurance Scheme, free school feeding, Free Senior High School and the latest creation of an additional six regions are all major successes of the party.

Mr Buaben Asamoa challenged the NDC to mention just one social intervention policy it had introduced since it came into power.

He also urged former President Mahama to make himself relevant by offering credible opposition, so that Ghana can benefit through peace and economic development.